This is a series of concept maps intended for use as planning aids and word mats. They have been generated from one Topic of the BEST science teaching framework developed by STEM, Salters, the IOP and the university of York. The first five models correspond directly to the BEST topic sections. The final sheets contain breakdowns of the models. They are intended to be used as word mats or visuals during the teaching of the topic to support students when discussing their ideas. I would value feedback on how useful you find them.

AQA Required practical for GCSE Chemistry, Trilogy and Synergy. There are 15 video clips showing the reaction at 5 concentrations so that students can measure the time taken for the cross to disappear. These concentrations are repeated three times. The concentrations and repeats provided here link with the Collins Required Practical handbook but the tests can be used as a stand alone aid. Concentrations are 40g/dm3 32g/dm3 24g/dm3 16g/dm3 8g/dm3 10cm3 of 1M hydrochloric acid is added each time. Practical was carried out at room temperature (22oC) Students would normally be required to prepare their own concentrations by diluting 40g/dm3 sodium thiosulfate. We made the different concentrations required with orange squash so that the dilution effect could be clearly seen. This also enabled students to practice accurate volume measurements with safe solutions. I developed this practical aid so that lower ability students could obtain a full set of effective results. Using the videos allows the students to focus on accuracy of measurement (they used their own stopwatches), reasons for repeats, prediction, pattern recognition etc without getting bogged down in multiple volume measurements and lost in a very long practical.

Feedback sheet for use by teacher or for self/peer assessment. I use this with marker pens. www in points coloured in green. ebi points coloured in pink. Following feedback Students have to mark the parts of their graph which are correct in green and modify where possible the ebi points. Could also be used prior to drawing a graph to remind students of requirements. Currently suitable for scatter graphs but could be modified easily for other types of graph.

For those who don't have a snap fix system. Simple background circuit diagrams to stand components on (A4 but need to be photocopied to A3). I found these v. useful for 'achieving' circuits with our component and trailing wire system. The students put the bulbs etc on the diagram and then are much more likely to fit the wires correctly, fault fix and understand what the hell is going on! The funding search continues!

A set of differentiated sheets with slightly different annotations developed to support an SEN group to understand how to use a protractor to measure angles of incidence and reflection in a practical situation. I photocopied the sheets and students used them in place of a blank sheet of paper.

Flowchart showing the various feedback loops during female fertility. Option to add information about hormonal control. Gives context to menstrual cycle.

This is an A4 concept map of the keywords and ideas from pp40-41 of Collins AQA Science A. I used this as a background aide memoire whilst students were undertaking other activities on this subject. Also useful as a stimulus sheet for practicing longer written answers.

There is a mood ring in the envelope mentioned. I also had some heat sensitive paper available, but it is not a requirement. I used this activity with both a top and bottom set science group during the light and sound module as an APP activity and they both enjoyed investigating the rings and had some interesting ideas for investigations. Get your mood rings from your local 'mystical' store as postage is high on the internet unless you are going to get loads. I think mine were £1 each and I got 6.

I have used the new prezi format to develop a process for making a videocast, which can be used at KS3 to add breadth to the methods of feeding back information. I developed this for an APP task with a high achieving Yr 7 Science group who were having trouble getting to grips with what was required for a successful videocast. The PDF documents shows what is in the slides on the presentation. The presentation is available online at the web link given. Feedback would be much appreciated. Many thanks.

Learn the difference between cells and batteries, by holding up mini whiteboards ('cell' on one side, 'battery' on other) in response to images. Middle slide teaches the difference. Opportunity to try again. Could be used prior to potato battery experiment. Key words: Cell, battery, circuit symbol, potato battery,

Introductory activity for intro to atomic structure or energy topic. Also used for energy resources discussion and link to ethics - should the baby be sacrificed for the good of humankind's energy needs? (someone will realise eventually that substituting 3kg of rubbish solves the problem). Can also be used to practice standard form and for figuring out how to estimate a figure.

A fun starter activity (about 10 min) which looks at genotype/phenotype for various less well known inherited traits (eg arm crossing, toe length). Could be used to initate discussion at KS3 or BTEC level, or as as a quick review to highlight the genotype/phenotype difference at GCSE, perhaps leading to the punnet square activity. Optional answer sheet for students to record answers to extend/formalise activity if you wish. Prezi option also available as alternative to powerpoint. Keywords: human variation, genotype, phenotype

Continuous loop mixing the PLT Teamwork criteria with humorous illustrations. For use as a through the door activity for a lesson that will inolve teamwork to remind students of the principles and gets them focussed. Could also be used as a starter or plenary with the looping feature disabled.

A concept/association map showing the requirements for thermal energy transfer (conduction, convection and radiaton) to occur. Of use when planning how to teach the topic, or to help students consider energy gradients and pathways for exam type scenarios (eg double glazed window, vacuum flask). Web site added as a guide to the mapping method. Thanks for looking, comments welcomed.

An A4 revision aid showing keywords and their relationships, for carbohydrates in a mind map/concept map format. Words are taken from the OCR text book Glossary. Further information about the association modelling process used can be found on the website. Comments and suggestions welcomed. Thanks for looking!

An A4 revision aid showing keywords and their relationships for nucleic acids in a mind map/concept map format. Words are taken from the OCR text book Glossary. Further information about the association modelling process used can be found on the website. Comments and suggestions welcomed. Thanks for looking!

An A4 revision aid showing keywords and their relationships for lipids in a mind map/concept map format. Words are taken from the Glossary of the OCR AS Biology textbook. Further information about the association modelling process used can be found on the website. Comments and suggestions welcomed. Thanks for looking!

An A4 revision aid showing keywords and their relationships for proteins in a mind map/concept map format. Words are taken from the Glossary of the OCR AS Biology textbook. Further information about the association modelling process used can be found on the website. Comments and ideas welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Grouped keywords from the glossary of the OCR AS Level Student book. Areas include chemical reactions, bonding, forces, and solutions. Provides a useful reference and revision sheet in concept/mind map format. Information about association mapping process available at the accompanying website. Comments and ideas welcomed!

A4 Association map (similar to concept map) using keywords from OCR Biology Student book glossary. Shows a high level view of enzymes, particularly with respect to substrate interaction. More general information about association, and other visual maps, can be found on the website.